Ellen Nolan

Safety in Numbers is an observation on the dynamics and identities of a group of Cheltenham school children within the context of a modern school. These photographs explore and reflect the collective realism of an institutional dynamic.

Unselfconsciousness and simultaneous boredom are displayed on the faces of these adolescents. There is an essence of youth in a school environment- the air feels very heavy. This is measured with a wistful looking both from the subjects and the photographer.

This project was created for the Open West Prize Winners Show in Cheltenham Gardens Gallery selected by Richard Billingham and curated by Sarah Goodwin and Lyn Cluer Coleman.

Untitled (Mirror)

Untitled (Changing-room)

Untitled (Group I)

Untitled (Mobiles)

Untitled (Group II)

Untitled (Changing Room II)

Untitled (Playing Cards)

Untitled (Classroom)

Untitled (Group with Teacher)

Untitled (Playground Fence)

Untitled (Girls in Sixth Form Room)

Untitled (Group in Front of Mirror)

Untitled (Mobiles)